Below is an e-mail I received. I don't know the veracity of the letter, as far as the writer's celebrations, as I don't know the writer. I don't know it ever was sent to The New York Times, and I doubt they would ever publish it. That said, someone obviously wrote it, because that is how I got a copy e-mailed to me. I think all Americans, regardless of their political tendencies should read it and reflect.

Dear Editor, Times-Dispatch: 'Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day, and on July 4 I celebrate America 's. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.

'On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba, and a few months later, I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in RichmondVa. on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.

'I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.

'When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said, 'Praise the Lord.' And when the young leader said, 'I will be for change and I'll bring you change,' everyone yelled, 'Viva Fidel!'

'But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent, the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education, it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented, Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over, more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.

'Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America ?

For that reason I don't believe in the "Change" that Obama says in his discourse. The evolution of the U.S.A democracy is the real change in this country because people such as Obama can postulate like candidate. Forty years ago, afro-americans couldn't postulate themselves like candidates, less in the Democrat Party . Today, Afroamericans can postulate themselves and Obama is the example. But, What is the change that Obama like to do? The international press loves Obama because his image, the press don't talk about his discourse. The good example for the people who trust in populist promises is Cuba. Take you, your own conclusions